Perhaps you are interested in attending barber school, but you have concerns that your past record may limit you in obtaining a license, even if you’ve moved on with your life. This question comes up more often than you might think.
First off, you should know that depending on the state in which you want to become a barber, you still may be able to obtain a license. States like New York still permit individuals with felony Each state has different laws governing the “reciprocity” that is allowed with a barber license if you move to a new state and want to transfer your barber license. In the state of California, for example, one may achieve reciprocity with a license as long as it has been active for the last three out of five years. Also, during that period of five years, one must not have received a criminal conviction.
In other normal circumstances, a majority of states will allow you to practice with a felony or misdemeanor conviction on your record. When you apply for a barber license, the application will request that you list any previous criminal charges that you have faced. You should be completely honest in answering this question. Depending on the exact felony, your application may be denied, as some states review applications on a case-by-case basis. In other scenarios, however, you will be given the chance to explain your conviction in front of a board of committee members or a judge. If you fail to honestly answer this question on the application, then this may be grounds for automatic dismissal. If you are honest, your chances improve for having a committee accept any criminal convictions on your record and allow you to go to barber school, get licensed and work as a professional barber. In fact, if you lie on an application, it may be considered a form of fraud and make your situation worse. Avoid this possibility and give yourself a real chance at becoming a barber by offering as much information as possible about the incident.
You will also have to check what the requirements are for particular barber schools. Some barber schools will still accept people with strong potential, regardless of their past criminal history. You can always speak with the admissions representatives at these schools to discuss the possibility of gaining admission with a criminal background. Many barber schools want to help you change your life for the better and will do what they can to work with you. Do not automatically assume that having a criminal background will completely ruin any chances you have for gaining admission to barber school. You can still become a barber in many states with a conviction in your own history.
